Norman Hugh Racine, 89, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, military veteran, attorney and friend passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024 at Delnor Hospital, Geneva, IL.

Norm was born on December 9, 1934 in Sycamore, IL to Roy C. Racine and Marguerite (Byland) Racine.  He was raised in Sycamore with his sister, Sandra and graduated from Sycamore High School in 1952.  Norm attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he joined ROTC, was an active member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Norman then attended the University of Illinois College of Law Urbana-Champaign.  In December 1958, Norman married Diana Flynn of Champaign, IL.  After graduating from law school in 1959, Norman served in the U.S. Air Force as an attorney in the judge advocate general's office at McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento, CA.  Two of Norm and Diana's four daughters, Leslie and Patricia were born while they lived in Sacramento.

After completing his military service in 1962, Norm and Diana moved to Sycamore where he joined his father Roy C. Racine in private legal practice and they welcomed two more daughters, Mary and Michelle (Miki).  While in private practice, Norm argued and won a case in front of the Illinois Supreme Court which was one of his proudest achievements.  He also served on the younger members conference of the Illinois State Bar Association and was a member of the Sycamore Rotary Club.

In 1990, Norm and Diana amicably divorced and he later reunited with Carol Ryan, whom he knew from college.  He and Carol lived in St. Charles, IL, Bonita Springs, FL and enjoyed traveling the world together until her unexpected death in January 2017.

Norm loved competitive sports of all types which was also imparted to his four daughters.   He was a proud member of Sycamore High School's track, basketball and football teams.  As an adult, he kept fit by running, cycling, skiing, and playing golf.  He also enjoyed sailing and hunting, playing the piano and listening to music of all genres.  He was an avid Illini sports fan and was very proud to see their success right up to his passing.

Norm will be incredibly missed and was known as a friendly, thoughtful person with an iron-clad memory for detail who valued hard work, lively conversation and loved a good joke.  Norm was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia (Patty) and his sister Sandra Casserly, Champaign, IL. He is survived by his daughters Leslie (Chris) Husa, La Cañada, CA, Mary (David) Richardson, Bartlett, IL, and Miki Berardelli, Verona, NJ. His family includes 9 grandchildren; Carolyn (Paul) Husa-Marchetti, Katie (Alex) Campbell, Wesley (Lindsy) Serrato, Ian, Mallory, Hannah and CJ Richardson, Max and Vic Berardelli; and 4 great-grandchildren; Savannah Serrato, Juliette and Clayton Husa-Marchetti, and Avery Campbell.  Norm's extended family includes Carol's sons Bill (Tamra) and Dave (Christy) Ryan, and her grandchildren, Caity, Cade, Jack and Will.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Friday, November 22, 10:00 am, at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL followed by visitation from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.   A private burial will be at the Elmwood Cemetery with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sycamore Education Foundation, Sycamore Parks Foundation or to Ducks Unlimited.

For additional information, you may visit www.butalafuneralhomes.com.